One group in line for a $100,000 grant is Okaloosa County’s newly established Doolittle Institute, an agency whose stated goal is “championing science, technology, engineering and mathematics education for all levels of society.”

“We’re looking to partner with the Air Force Research Laboratory at Eglin Air Force Base and to do so we have to show we have state support,” said Mark Simpson, founder and president of the Doolittle Institute.

An ultimate goal of the institute, he said, is to “create jobs in the Northwest Florida area.”

State Rep. Matt Gaetz, a Fort Walton Beach Republican and one of six Northwest Florida residents sitting on the 12-member task force, called the Doolittle Institute “the type of project that would benefit our bases for the good.”

The most important discussions of the task force will likely be conducted behind closed doors.

David Goetsch, another Okaloosa County resident and the vice chairman of the task force, said the portion of the meeting from which the public will be barred will include a discussion by Spectrum, a group hired to review the state’s 20 military installations.

“Spectrum is supposed to present a summary of all the weaknesses of the state’s bases,” Goetsch said.

Weaknesses are being focused on so that the task force and state leaders can be proactive in preparation for a Base Realignment and Closure Commission expected to be convened in 2015.

The commission will study the nation’s military bases and designate some for closure or downsizing of missions. The task force hopes to “play offense” and enhance its bases when realignment comes, said Gaetz.

Task force members will also hear Wednesday from the Principi Group, its Washington lobbyists.

Goetsch said the lobby group will likely address issues regarding sequestration, which could cut $53 billion from the defense budget in 2013, and the status of the National Defense Authorization Bill.

The defense bill, which holds language U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller believes can force the Air Force to keep its hands off Eglin’s valuable Research, Development, Testing and Evaluation wing, has yet to be considered by the U.S. Senate.

Wednesday’s meeting will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Four Points Sheraton hotel.

One group in line for a $100,000 grant is Okaloosa County’s newly established Doolittle Institute, an agency whose stated goal is “championing science, technology, engineering and mathematics education for all levels of society.”

“We’re looking to partner with the Air Force Research Laboratory at Eglin Air Force Base and to do so we have to show we have state support,” said Mark Simpson, founder and president of the Doolittle Institute.

An ultimate goal of the institute, he said, is to “create jobs in the Northwest Florida area.”

State Rep. Matt Gaetz, a Fort Walton Beach Republican and one of six Northwest Florida residents sitting on the 12-member task force, called the Doolittle Institute “the type of project that would benefit our bases for the good.”

The most important discussions of the task force will likely be conducted behind closed doors.

David Goetsch, another Okaloosa County resident and the vice chairman of the task force, said the portion of the meeting from which the public will be barred will include a discussion by Spectrum, a group hired to review the state’s 20 military installations.

“Spectrum is supposed to present a summary of all the weaknesses of the state’s bases,” Goetsch said.

Weaknesses are being focused on so that the task force and state leaders can be proactive in preparation for a Base Realignment and Closure Commission expected to be convened in 2015.

The commission will study the nation’s military bases and designate some for closure or downsizing of missions. The task force hopes to “play offense” and enhance its bases when realignment comes, said Gaetz.

Task force members will also hear Wednesday from the Principi Group, its Washington lobbyists.

Goetsch said the lobby group will likely address issues regarding sequestration, which could cut $53 billion from the defense budget in 2013, and the status of the National Defense Authorization Bill.

The defense bill, which holds language U.S. Rep. Jeff Miller believes can force the Air Force to keep its hands off Eglin’s valuable Research, Development, Testing and Evaluation wing, has yet to be considered by the U.S. Senate.

Wednesday’s meeting will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. at the Four Points Sheraton hotel.